Device for Assembling Machine Components Using Adiabatic Energy Change

ABSTRACT

In a device for assembling components subjected to strong accelerations or decelerations for machines using adiabatic energy change, assemblies of components include spring pins providing absorption of mechanical vibrations due to pounding effects. The device is applicable for mounting punches.

The invention relates to the technical field of machines, machines for converting adiabatic energy. These machines may use punches whereof the active parts have a variable hardness as required, and also adiabatic cutting and/or forming tools.

According to the prior art, in the application of punches, the mounting-disassembly of the said punches, which are subject to very difficult conditions of use, with regard to the loads in the application concerned, is still impractical, the punches having to be of one-piece construction to withstand the operating loads.

The applicant's approach has been to simplify this assembly while considering that the hammer forces generated by adiabatic energy conversion would generate very high mechanical loads. Under these conditions, the proposed solution should take due consideration of these stresses, so that the punch assembly remains very reliable and offers full safety guarantees.

The applicant wished to address these various requirements.

The solution provided by the applicant is simple and rapidly implemented. However, the solution proves unexpectedly to be applicable to other component assemblies undergoing high accelerations and decelerations while using adiabatic energy conversion.

According to the invention, the device for assembling components undergoing high accelerations or decelerations for machines using the conversion of adiabatic energy, is characterized in that the component assemblies include means in the form of spring pins for absorbing the mechanical vibrations during the hammer effects.

According to the invention, the component assembly device has an application in the mounting of punches and in that each punch is arranged to receive one or more modules, constituting a metal insert, the said module or modules being replaceable as required, and in that each module can be removed from the punch body, and in that, according to the weight of the insert or inserts, one or more holes receiving means are placed obliquely between the module or modules and the module holding punch body and are uniformly distributed therein, and in that the means are provided in the form of spring pins placed along the length of the holes and performing a linkage function.

According to the invention, the component assembly device has another application, in particular by the use of guide bushes combined with a guide column with regard to a support, the said means provided in the form of spring pins performing a position holding function.

These features and others will clearly appear from the rest of the description.

To define the subject matter of the invention in a non-limiting manner in the figures of the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a first application of the device of the invention in a plan view of the support punch of the module receiving the spring pins,

FIG. 2 shows a side cross section along the broken line J.J. in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a cross section along H.H. in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a view of another application of the invention for guide bushes and guide columns.

In order to define the subject matter of the invention more concretely, it is now described in a non-limiting manner illustrated by the figures of the drawing.

The device according to the invention applies to the assembly of components undergoing high accelerations and decelerations for machines using the conversion of adiabatic energy. The device comprises means (3) in the form of spring pins for absorbing the mechanical vibrations during the hammer loads.

The device of the invention has a first application for punches. For this purpose, the punch body is referenced as a whole by (1) and is suitable for use on machines using the conversion of adiabatic energy and operating at very high speed.

The punch body is arranged to receive, on the side of its strike area with a recess (1 a) for receiving one or more modules (2) constituting a metal insert whereof the degree of hardness may vary as required. The said insert or inserts have a base (2 a) centred in the receiving recess (1 a) and a strike head (2 b) overhanging the said recess.

According to the invention, the punch and the module are arranged similarly and matchingly. In order to obtain the best overall strength, the means performing a linkage function (3) are, for example, in substantially offset planes, with series of holes in pairs and in particular, pairs of holes (1 c) (2 c) passing through them obliquely, in a surround having a square grid configuration. These linkage means are in practice sets of spring pins (3 a) placed along the receiving length of the holes. The pin cross section may vary as required and according to the loads inherent in the hammer operation. According to the position of the spring pins, they may have a different cross section.

The number of pins is generally even and, as required, may be 2, 4, 6 pins or more if necessary.

The insert forming module is securely held in this position with a distribution of linkage and fixing zones. Replacement of the insert requires the removal of the spring pins, which is carried out in a routine manner with pin drivers or similar instruments.

One advantage of the invention resides in the choice of the spring pins which are inherently deformable and which serve to adsorb certain forces due to the loads. Thus, the spring pins are perfectly capable of absorbing the mechanical vibrations during the hammer forces in the particular case of a machine using adiabatic energy.

Nor is there any risk of damage to the linkage means to the insert module, which guarantees continued performance.

FIG. 1 shows a surround in the form of a square grid. According to the configuration of the insert, which may be cylindrical for example, a surround defined by two sets of pins can be used, placed in parallel and in the same plane. In practice, and according to the applications concerned, the surrounds may have different configurations depending on the number of sets of pins placed between the die and the punch.

The solution is simple, practical to implement.

The invention also applies in adiabatic cutting and/or forming tools.

With reference to FIG. 4, the device applies in certain cases of components which cannot or should not be re-machined for the passage of the pins (3).

In this case, the pins (3) are mounted as a barrier by generating a force for holding the insert component in position in its support. Thus, reference numeral (4) indicates the support, (5) a guide column, and (6) a guide bush. The latter is centred in the bottom of a shoulder (4 a) forming a recess prepared on the support (4), and the spring pins (3) are maintained in a perpendicular plane by any suitable means. The pins are mounted with a negative clearance to clamp the guide bush in its recess.

In this application, the device performs another function, that of maintaining the bush with the absorption of the vibratory stresses due to the conversion of the adiabatic energy. 

1. Device for assembling components undergoing high accelerations or decelerations for machines using the conversion of adiabatic energy, wherein component assemblies include spring pins for absorbing mechanical vibrations during hammer effects.
 2. Device according to claim 1, for application in mounting of punches, wherein each punch is arranged to receive one or more modules, constituting a metal insert, the one or more modules being replaceable as required, and each module can be removed from a module holding punch body, and wherein, according to weight of an insert or inserts, one or more holes are placed obliquely between the one or more modules and the module holding punch body and are uniformly distributed therein, and the spring pins are placed along a length of the holes and perform a linkage function.
 3. Device according to claim 1, for application with use of guide bushings combined with a guide column with regard to a support, wherein the spring pins perform a position holding function.
 4. Device according to claim 2, for mounting punches wherein the one or more holes are adapted for receiving linkage means in the form of spring pins.
 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein pairs of holes are placed obliquely between a die and an insert and are positioned in a square grid configuration.
 6. Device according to claim 4, wherein two pairs of holes are placed obliquely between a die and an insert and are positioned in parallel and in a same plane.
 7. Device according to claim 4, wherein sets of holes are placed obliquely between a die and an insert and are positioned in pairs.
 8. Device according to claim 3, comprising an assembly including a guide bushing centered in a housing on a support and allowing passage and guiding of a guide column and wherein the spring pins are mounted as a barrier to the guide bushing while providing a holding force. 